As someone who always has serious FOMO, you can say I’ve been around the block when it comes to my business. I want to try it all and make sure I have the best of the best and I also DON’T like when people rep something cause #influencers, and I end up trying something and it sucks.
I’ve made a list of my favorite software for my wedding photography business and I’ll even include a few other tips of other things I’ve tried. The most important tip: Find what works for you!
If you’re a beginner starting out, you may not need software this extensive. You might also just want to start out with the best of the best.
Table of Contents
- Favorite Software
- Favorite Apps
- My gear
This is my personal list of my favorite software I use daily as a wedding photographer!
- Dubsado (CRM)
- Showit (Website)
- Pic-Time (Gallery delivery software)
- Smart Albums
- Lightroom
1. Dubsado – My favorite CRM
My favorite CRM! You already know I never just try one software. I previously used Tave for years and before that, 17 Hats. Each one was good for what it was in my business and just as times have changed and the CRM’s get better and better (and prettier.)
I feel like my business has THRIVED since fully setting up Dubsado. It makes my life so easy to automate, run an amazing business, it’s beautiful and it’s so perfect for keeping everything I need for weddings in one place.
Sign up for 20% off your first month or year with this link!
2. Showit – My favorite website builder
Showit has made it so easy to build out a high-end website without design or coding experience. My biggest thing is ease of use. I am NOT a designer, but you better believe a pretty website is a MUST for me. Along with SEO capabilities and a good user experience.
Showit checked all those boxes for me. While I have considered a custom WordPress website (for even better SEO and speed), the value of having Showit for customer service and to support me with any tech questions is invaluable. After my website went down a few times, I realized that I couldn’t keep up with dealing with IT issues on my own.
I would pay for Showit over and over and over.
As a former Pixieset user, I’ve loved having Pic-time! I will say, I think Pixieset has really stepped it up with lots of features that Pic-time has, but after all these years, Pic-time still wins for me.
Like any new software, it can take a bit to figure it out. It’s totally worth it!
Our favorite Pic-Time features:
- Automations and SO many features!
- High-end print lab options like Musea and Red Tree Albums
- Album design feature (for either your client to design or you to design ?)
- Making slideshows on Pic-Time
- Making reels on Pic-time
- Passive income for album sales + other product sales without having to do anything
- Album design feature
CODE at checkout: BLNMTS – * must enter code to receive one free month for free
I couldn’t imagine editing any other way! Lightroom is what I’ve edited with since the beginning. I use Lightroom on my desktop and Lightroom mobile synced for any time I’m on the go. I also cull on Lightroom and love that it’s a one stop shop for my images.
Album design and proofing. Also another favorite software! I started using SmartAlbums and SmartSlides in 2018. I think this is just a great way to elevate your business and experience, but not necessarily needed if you’re just starting out. Their online cloud for sending drafts to clients has been HEAVEN. The clients can make comments and even select the pictures, see final edits. I guess you can still use Google Docs, but meh.
Edited to add 2022: I still love Pixellu for Albums, but Pic-time has been stepping up their game in their features and now offer album designing and proofing within your account. I’ve figured out a new system on this and really loving it!
I’m still designing within SmartAlbums because Pic-Time album design lacks design features, but I love now everything integrating together to make workflows simpler.
Apps I use daily in my photography business
Editing gear
What’s in my camera bag?
Canon Mark III
Canon 6D
Sigma 35mm
Canon 50mm
Canon 85mm